CrackBerry.com - BBMhttp://crackberry.com/bbm
BBM (formerly BlackBerry Messenger) is a data-based instant messaging network that is exclusive to BlackBerry devices. Messages are sent over BlackBerry’s private network, ensuring security and privacy. End users have long enjoyed helpful features such as notifications which show if a message was successfully sent, if it was read, and if the other party is currently typing a response.
Since its inception, BBM has grown in functionality to include groups with shared calendars, lists and files. Application developers can also make their apps BBM-connected in a number of ways, including showcasing their app on a user’s BlackBerry Messenger profile. Music played on a BlackBerry’s native media player can also be optionally shown as a status message on BBM.
BBM has always been a BlackBerry only app, but as announced during BlackBerry Live 2013, BBM officially went cross-platform on Android and iOS on October 21, 2013.
enEnter to win a BBM prize pack in our BBM 10th birthday contest!http://crackberry.com/bbm-10-years-contest

Today, August 1, officially marks BBM's 10th birthday and to help celebrate the occasion BlackBerry has been highlighting some key moments from BBM history and offering up a free special BBM sticker pack but we wanted to celebrate as well with our readers, so with some help from BlackBerry, we've put together 10 BBM prize packs to give away to readers such as yourself! What's in the packs? Glad you asked.

Today, August 1, officially marks BBM's 10th birthday and to help celebrate the occasion BlackBerry has been highlighting some key moments from BBM history and offering up a free special BBM sticker pack but we wanted to celebrate as well with our readers, so with some help from BlackBerry, we've put together 10 BBM prize packs to give away to readers such as yourself! What's in the packs? Glad you asked.

Once again Disney have released a rather swish looking Sticker Pack into the BBM Shop. You'll now find the hit movie 'The Incredibles' in the stickers list and I would imagine that this one may well be rather popular.

Once again Disney have released a rather swish looking Sticker Pack into the BBM Shop. You'll now find the hit movie 'The Incredibles' in the stickers list and I would imagine that this one may well be rather popular.

Looking to keep things in line, across all the platforms the app supports, BlackBerry has now posted up a new build of BBM for iOS. Just as with the latest BlackBerry 10 and Android releases, the changelog on this one isn't exactly huge and only highlights bug fixes and improvements as the key additions. Still, it's an update, so go ahead and give it a go and let us know in the comments if it's working any better for you with this release versus how it was working before.

Looking to keep things in line, across all the platforms the app supports, BlackBerry has now posted up a new build of BBM for iOS. Just as with the latest BlackBerry 10 and Android releases, the changelog on this one isn't exactly huge and only highlights bug fixes and improvements as the key additions. Still, it's an update, so go ahead and give it a go and let us know in the comments if it's working any better for you with this release versus how it was working before.

Speaking on those beginnings with the Inside BlackBerry Blog, Jonathan Nobles, the first product manager for BBM in 2005 recalled some of the early days of BBM.

"We were experimenting with various instant messaging ideas. We discovered that if we took the existing PIN to PIN solution and wrapped it in a nice GUI (Graphical user interface), we had a great product".

A highlight of the early days confirmed by BlackBerry Principal Architect and main creator of BBM, Gary Klassen, who noted.

"PIN to PIN [messaging] always had D's and R's," he said, referring to status updates showing when messages were Delivered and Read by users, "but they weren't on by default". Turning those features on in BBM created a pioneering sense of real-time presence that's now standard for many instant messaging applications.

Speaking on those beginnings with the Inside BlackBerry Blog, Jonathan Nobles, the first product manager for BBM in 2005 recalled some of the early days of BBM.

"We were experimenting with various instant messaging ideas. We discovered that if we took the existing PIN to PIN solution and wrapped it in a nice GUI (Graphical user interface), we had a great product".

A highlight of the early days confirmed by BlackBerry Principal Architect and main creator of BBM, Gary Klassen, who noted.

"PIN to PIN [messaging] always had D's and R's," he said, referring to status updates showing when messages were Delivered and Read by users, "but they weren't on by default". Turning those features on in BBM created a pioneering sense of real-time presence that's now standard for many instant messaging applications.

For those of you out there using BBM on either BlackBerry 10 or Android, you'll want to fire up the respective app stores and get the latest updates downloaded. New builds for both BlackBerry 10 and Android have now arrived and are available. What's new you ask? Well, we really don't know because the changelog this time around was simply left at 'bug fixes and performance improvements'. Still that's enough reason to give them a go. If you happen to spot anything specifically new in either release, shout out in the comments and let us know. If you're an iOS user, no update for you as of yet.

For those of you out there using BBM on either BlackBerry 10 or Android, you'll want to fire up the respective app stores and get the latest updates downloaded. New builds for both BlackBerry 10 and Android have now arrived and are available. What's new you ask? Well, we really don't know because the changelog this time around was simply left at 'bug fixes and performance improvements'. Still that's enough reason to give them a go. If you happen to spot anything specifically new in either release, shout out in the comments and let us know. If you're an iOS user, no update for you as of yet.

When it comes to the BBM Shop there seems to be a slight inconsistency as to when new products show up for users. I'm not sure if this is a regional thing or a glitch, but either way, I was rather pleased to see the Monsters Inc sticker pack show up for me over the weekend.

When it comes to the BBM Shop there seems to be a slight inconsistency as to when new products show up for users. I'm not sure if this is a regional thing or a glitch, but either way, I was rather pleased to see the Monsters Inc sticker pack show up for me over the weekend.

On Friday 26th, BBM was updated for BlackBerry, iOS and Android. A lot of people ran into issues with the update and today we see an update pushed out to fix those issues. If you have been having some problems with BBM since the update, it would be wise to update to this latest version.

On Friday 26th, BBM was updated for BlackBerry, iOS and Android. A lot of people ran into issues with the update and today we see an update pushed out to fix those issues. If you have been having some problems with BBM since the update, it would be wise to update to this latest version.

]]>Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:49:42 +0000DJ Reyes187704 at http://crackberry.comhttp://crackberry.com/blackberry-pushes-out-bug-fix-update-bbm#commentsBBM Money users in Indonesia can now pay for goods and services online and in storeshttp://crackberry.com/bbm-money-users-all-platforms-indonesia-can-now-pay-goods-and-services-online-and-stores

While we're still waiting to hear some news about BBM Money for the U.S. and Canada, BlackBerry last week held an event to update media and the Android, BlackBerry and iOS communities in Indonesia on the latest additions to BBM Money that for the first time brings Instant Mobile Payments to users of the app on all major platforms and allows them pay for goods and services online and in stores – regardless of who they bank with.

While we're still waiting to hear some news about BBM Money for the U.S. and Canada, BlackBerry last week held an event to update media and the Android, BlackBerry and iOS communities in Indonesia on the latest additions to BBM Money that for the first time brings Instant Mobile Payments to users of the app on all major platforms and allows them pay for goods and services online and in stores – regardless of who they bank with.

Yesterday, an update to BBM rolled out for BlackBerry, Android and iOS. The version had been running in BlackBerry Beta Zone for a while and now it is rolling out to everyone. There are a handful of new features to be found in this latest update from Private Chat to the ability to quote messages. We're going to be taking a closer look at these new features.

Yesterday, an update to BBM rolled out for BlackBerry, Android and iOS. The version had been running in BlackBerry Beta Zone for a while and now it is rolling out to everyone. There are a handful of new features to be found in this latest update from Private Chat to the ability to quote messages. We're going to be taking a closer look at these new features.

]]>Sat, 27 Jun 2015 22:38:43 +0000DJ Reyes187690 at http://crackberry.comhttp://crackberry.com/bbm-v109-new-features#commentsBlackBerry Messenger update makes it easier to control what you sharehttp://crackberry.com/blackberry-messenger-update-makes-it-easier-control-what-you-share

The latest BBM update brings along with it a new subscription, Privacy and Control, which lets users have even more control over what they are sharing. Replacing Timed and Retracted Messages, Privacy and Control offers users some new features at the same $0.99 a month price tag.

The latest BBM update brings along with it a new subscription, Privacy and Control, which lets users have even more control over what they are sharing. Replacing Timed and Retracted Messages, Privacy and Control offers users some new features at the same $0.99 a month price tag.

Right before the weekend, we saw the BBM for iOS beta get updated with some new features and now, it's time for the BlackBerry 10 BBM beta to get updated. Just as with the iOS release, the latest BBM beta appearing in the BlackBerry Beta Zone for BlackBerry 10 brings the new private chat feature plus, the ability to reorder your sticker packs without having to use a flaky workaround method and finally, the ability to reference and reply to a previous message in your chat using a new quote feature.

Right before the weekend, we saw the BBM for iOS beta get updated with some new features and now, it's time for the BlackBerry 10 BBM beta to get updated. Just as with the iOS release, the latest BBM beta appearing in the BlackBerry Beta Zone for BlackBerry 10 brings the new private chat feature plus, the ability to reorder your sticker packs without having to use a flaky workaround method and finally, the ability to reference and reply to a previous message in your chat using a new quote feature.

If you have an iOS device and have been testing out BBM through the Beta Zone, you'll want to ensure you get yourself updated the latest release through TestFlight as BlackBerry has sent out invites for v290.100.0.14. The biggest addition this time around is the introduction of 'Private Chat', which BlackBerry has bundled with the Timed Message and Retraction subscription to create a new package called Privacy and Control.

If you have an iOS device and have been testing out BBM through the Beta Zone, you'll want to ensure you get yourself updated the latest release through TestFlight as BlackBerry has sent out invites for v290.100.0.14. The biggest addition this time around is the introduction of 'Private Chat', which BlackBerry has bundled with the Timed Message and Retraction subscription to create a new package called Privacy and Control.

]]>Fri, 12 Jun 2015 21:14:48 +0000Bla1ze187614 at http://crackberry.comhttp://crackberry.com/latest-bbm-ios-beta-brings-private-chat-feature-through-privacy-and-control-subscription#commentsCrackBerry Asks: Have you been put off purchasing BBM Sticker packs due to their price? http://crackberry.com/bbm-stickers-price-poll

Just the other day I once again found myself browsing through the impressive selection of BBM Sticker packs that we now have sitting proudly in the BBM Shop. We've asked CrackBerry readers before if they are using stickers, but this time around I was interested to see if you were put off purchasing Sticker packs because of the price?

Just the other day I once again found myself browsing through the impressive selection of BBM Sticker packs that we now have sitting proudly in the BBM Shop. We've asked CrackBerry readers before if they are using stickers, but this time around I was interested to see if you were put off purchasing Sticker packs because of the price?

Last week BlackBerry teased something new was coming and while there was much speculation over what it would be, we can now put it to rest. As noted on the Inside BlackBerry blog, a new beta is filtering through the Beta Zone for those making use of an Android device and beta testing BBM that finally brings Android Material Design to the app, something BlackBerry committed to bringing several months ago.

Last week BlackBerry teased something new was coming and while there was much speculation over what it would be, we can now put it to rest. As noted on the Inside BlackBerry blog, a new beta is filtering through the Beta Zone for those making use of an Android device and beta testing BBM that finally brings Android Material Design to the app, something BlackBerry committed to bringing several months ago.

When new features get added to BBM, BlackBerry seemingly rolls them out to iOS beta releases first for whatever reason and that appears to the case once again. A new BBM for iOS beta has arrived with plenty of bug fixes and some improvements to the timed message and message retraction features available through subscriptions.

When new features get added to BBM, BlackBerry seemingly rolls them out to iOS beta releases first for whatever reason and that appears to the case once again. A new BBM for iOS beta has arrived with plenty of bug fixes and some improvements to the timed message and message retraction features available through subscriptions.

BlackBerry has pushed an update to BBM for Windows Phone today that finally adds access to the Channels feature. After making its debut in the beta version of BBM not too long ago, Channels are finally in the main app for everyone to enjoy.

BlackBerry has pushed an update to BBM for Windows Phone today that finally adds access to the Channels feature. After making its debut in the beta version of BBM not too long ago, Channels are finally in the main app for everyone to enjoy.

Despite there being no official announcement, BlackBerry has recently added a pretty awesome feature to BBM Channels. Channel owners who use the online portal can now precisely target audiences they want to see particular updates and posts made to a channel. You can set targeting by a few different options such as demographic, geo-targetting as well as platform targeting.

Despite there being no official announcement, BlackBerry has recently added a pretty awesome feature to BBM Channels. Channel owners who use the online portal can now precisely target audiences they want to see particular updates and posts made to a channel. You can set targeting by a few different options such as demographic, geo-targetting as well as platform targeting.

To go along with their device sale, BlackBerry is also offering a bit of a sale through their BBM Shop as well wherein you can grab a custom BBM PIN of your own for only 99 cents. Although some may have taken advantage of this offer earlier as it seemingly appeared early accidentally, BlackBerry has now made it official and is even offering those who paid $1.99 for a custom PIN to update their subscription to the new pricing.

To go along with their device sale, BlackBerry is also offering a bit of a sale through their BBM Shop as well wherein you can grab a custom BBM PIN of your own for only 99 cents. Although some may have taken advantage of this offer earlier as it seemingly appeared early accidentally, BlackBerry has now made it official and is even offering those who paid $1.99 for a custom PIN to update their subscription to the new pricing.

While a big update to BBM was rolled out two days ago, some folks have reported issues with BBM Channels wherein Channels weren't fully loading or comments couldn't be posted to channels. BlackBerry quickly fixed the issue by releasing another small update to BBM, but it looks as though some folks never fully got the notification for that release and as such are still running the initial update which has the problems present.

While a big update to BBM was rolled out two days ago, some folks have reported issues with BBM Channels wherein Channels weren't fully loading or comments couldn't be posted to channels. BlackBerry quickly fixed the issue by releasing another small update to BBM, but it looks as though some folks never fully got the notification for that release and as such are still running the initial update which has the problems present.

]]>Fri, 24 Apr 2015 18:01:19 +0000James Richardson187308 at http://crackberry.comhttp://crackberry.com/how-hide-bbm-sticker-packs#commentsBBM updated in BlackBerry World with the ability to hide stickers, chat with address book contacts and more!http://crackberry.com/bbm-updated-blackberry-world-ability-hide-stickers-chat-address-book-contacts-and-more

After spending some time in the BlackBerry Beta Zone, the latest update to BBM has now arrived in BlackBerry World and is available to all. This release is packing quite a few features including the ability to hide purchased sticker packs as well as the option to chat with contacts from your address book.

After spending some time in the BlackBerry Beta Zone, the latest update to BBM has now arrived in BlackBerry World and is available to all. This release is packing quite a few features including the ability to hide purchased sticker packs as well as the option to chat with contacts from your address book.

The BBM beta for BlackBerry 10 has been updated today, and while it isn't a huge update, it does bring along the ability to hide sticker packs, which, as BlackBerry notes, could come in handy for packing away those seasonal packs.

The BBM beta for BlackBerry 10 has been updated today, and while it isn't a huge update, it does bring along the ability to hide sticker packs, which, as BlackBerry notes, could come in handy for packing away those seasonal packs.

Back at the beginning of March, BlackBerry pushed out an update to BBM and one of the highlights of that specific release was a mention of the ability to have multiple BBM Channel contributors through the BBM Channels online portal. For whatever reason, that function never appeared, and it was never mentioned again. That left many people wondering where it went and while we still don't have an answer for that, it has now finally gone live. As expected, it's fairly easy to add a new contributor to your channel.

Back at the beginning of March, BlackBerry pushed out an update to BBM and one of the highlights of that specific release was a mention of the ability to have multiple BBM Channel contributors through the BBM Channels online portal. For whatever reason, that function never appeared, and it was never mentioned again. That left many people wondering where it went and while we still don't have an answer for that, it has now finally gone live. As expected, it's fairly easy to add a new contributor to your channel.

BBM retains more users than most other mobile messaging apps, according to new data published by mobile analytics group Quettra. Measured against 22 messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Snapchat, and WeChat, BBM held on to 93% of its users after 30 days. The app also experienced higher user loyalty after the 60 and 90-day marks, according to BlackBerry:

As reported by The Information and CNBC, BBM held onto more than 93% of its users after 30 days, more than double the 43% average user retention after 30 days for all apps measured. After 60 days, 89% of BBM users remained loyal, and 82% after 90 days. Only Facebook Messenger ranked higher than BBM.

These high retention numbers aren't really surprising. Just last month, BBM crossed 100 million downloads from Google Play, though it should be noted that a number of BBM's competitors share similarly high download numbers, without experiencing the same loyalty from users. Recent updates to the app have also added many long-requested features, including custom BBM PINs and support for Android Wear.

BBM retains more users than most other mobile messaging apps, according to new data published by mobile analytics group Quettra. Measured against 22 messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Snapchat, and WeChat, BBM held on to 93% of its users after 30 days. The app also experienced higher user loyalty after the 60 and 90-day marks, according to BlackBerry:

As reported by The Information and CNBC, BBM held onto more than 93% of its users after 30 days, more than double the 43% average user retention after 30 days for all apps measured. After 60 days, 89% of BBM users remained loyal, and 82% after 90 days. Only Facebook Messenger ranked higher than BBM.

These high retention numbers aren't really surprising. Just last month, BBM crossed 100 million downloads from Google Play, though it should be noted that a number of BBM's competitors share similarly high download numbers, without experiencing the same loyalty from users. Recent updates to the app have also added many long-requested features, including custom BBM PINs and support for Android Wear.

UPDATE - A new Android beta has now also been pushed out with the exact same addition of the ability to chat with people outside of your BBM contact list.

With warning given well ahead that a new BBM beta was expected, the BlackBerry Beta Zone has now sent out emails to those who are a part of the BBM beta group and there're some interesting changes to be found. Both iOS and BlackBerry 10 have been updated with one identical feature, but the iOS version has few additional options as well as more bug fixes and more 'known issues' within the beta.

UPDATE - A new Android beta has now also been pushed out with the exact same addition of the ability to chat with people outside of your BBM contact list.

With warning given well ahead that a new BBM beta was expected, the BlackBerry Beta Zone has now sent out emails to those who are a part of the BBM beta group and there're some interesting changes to be found. Both iOS and BlackBerry 10 have been updated with one identical feature, but the iOS version has few additional options as well as more bug fixes and more 'known issues' within the beta.

]]>Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:46:43 +0000Bla1ze187244 at http://crackberry.comhttp://crackberry.com/new-bbm-beta-offers-ability-chat-people-outside-your-bbm-contacts#commentsAs the BBM Shop turns one year old, BlackBerry shares some stats on its usehttp://crackberry.com/bbm-shop-turns-year-old-blackberry-share-some-stats-its-use

In addition to the BlackBerry World celebrations, the BBM Shop is also celebrating its one year of existence and over at the Inside BlackBerry Blog, Matthew Talbot, Senior Vice President - Emerging Solutions at BlackBerry has shared some stats on its level of usage and offers some insight on just how many people are out there actually buying and using stickers for BBM.

Stickers Sent (since April 1, 2014):

More than 1.87 billion total

Currently 500 million per month

20 percent of sticker-enabled users send at least 1 sticker per week

The average sticker user sends about 10 stickers per week

BBM Shop:

More than 1.5 billion total visits

Currently 250 million per month

Inventory of more than 250 items

Average BBM Shop user visits about 3 times per week

BBM Shop Momentum

The blue line shows the number of stickers sent, while the green-blue line shows the number of shop visits, which BlackBerry attributes to more, better products and improving features like the 'Picker'.

In addition to the BlackBerry World celebrations, the BBM Shop is also celebrating its one year of existence and over at the Inside BlackBerry Blog, Matthew Talbot, Senior Vice President - Emerging Solutions at BlackBerry has shared some stats on its level of usage and offers some insight on just how many people are out there actually buying and using stickers for BBM.

Stickers Sent (since April 1, 2014):

More than 1.87 billion total

Currently 500 million per month

20 percent of sticker-enabled users send at least 1 sticker per week

The average sticker user sends about 10 stickers per week

BBM Shop:

More than 1.5 billion total visits

Currently 250 million per month

Inventory of more than 250 items

Average BBM Shop user visits about 3 times per week

BBM Shop Momentum

The blue line shows the number of stickers sent, while the green-blue line shows the number of shop visits, which BlackBerry attributes to more, better products and improving features like the 'Picker'.

If you're looking in the BBM Shop today and happen to spot a "Timed and Retracted Messages" subscription item available but it doesn't work, there's actually a good reason for it. As noted in a new Beta Zone email being sent out, it's in preparation for a new BBM beta build that is set to be arriving this week for those invited to try it out.

If you're looking in the BBM Shop today and happen to spot a "Timed and Retracted Messages" subscription item available but it doesn't work, there's actually a good reason for it. As noted in a new Beta Zone email being sent out, it's in preparation for a new BBM beta build that is set to be arriving this week for those invited to try it out.